Typhoon slams into Philippines

TYPHOON Nesat slammed into the Philippines, killing a baby, as it brought heavy rain and strong wind that blew away roofs, uprooted small trees and toppled power lines.

The Philippines endures about 20 storms annually, many of them deadly, but authorities warned today Nesat was one of the largest to hit the country this year with its rain and wind path twice as big as average storms.

"This typhoon is very wide in diameter, about 650km, and covers most of (the main island of) Luzon," Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, who supervises the country's weather bureau, said.

Nesat hit the northeastern side of Luzon before dawn, bringing maximum sustained winds of up to 140km/h and gusts clocking in at 170km/h.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a baby died when he fell into a swollen river in the eastern province of Catanduanes.

Four other people were missing and there were fears the death toll would rise throughout the day.

The agricultural provinces of Isabela and Aurora were the most heavily affected initially, although storm alerts were also hoisted in over 40 other areas, including the capital Manila, the state weather bureau said.

The presidential palace announced the suspension of all classes and work for government agencies in Manila and other affected areas.

Some roads around Manila, a sprawling megacity of more than 12 million people, were impassable this morning due to flooding and falling debris, including branches that had been ripped off trees.

The Philippine Stock Exchange also suspended trading, while operations of Manila's main overhead railway system ground to a halt due to a power outage, stranding passengers in the morning rush hour, officials said.